Jade

Switching to Alesha Dixon now.

Switching to ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’ now, which I knew before the original, but I return more to the Yes version now

Starting with ‘Mas Que Nada’ as well, a bit of a pointless version

Not the best timing for my founding fathers

'Forgot About Dré' is my favourite to drop out today as well. Love the earworm chorus, chaotic verses, bouncy synth production and epic guitar later on. 🙌

I’ve loved Priya since Day 1 but I feel like today is the first time we’ve got to see Avani properly shine, excellent stuff between the two of them. Last year my favourite episode was the one that focused on a nuanced portrayal of racism with the Knights, where George learned about what happened to his father, plus Anna and Gina discussed different levels of privilege afforded for their skin tones and hair. Once again they tackled a sensitive and important subject in such a raw way. The strip scene was heartbreaking to watch. Every time I thought it was going to cut away it just… didn’t.

I got into collecting Blu Ray last year so would love a copy of the tour on that format!

There's a snippet of what appears to be ‘twilight zone' out there (obtained by calling the 'brighter days' hotline) and it sounds promising.

Heard 'no tears left to cry' on Scott Mills' Radio 2 breakfast show today and now it's appeared in the iTunes chart (#160) - get those 10 sales x

A good day for sombr: #55 back to friends #165 undressed

Well done John for that 39 yesterday! today's game: Round 1: 30 (didn't get: The O'Jays, Big Country) Round 2: 39 3-in-10: 1 (Can't Give You Anything (But My Love))

Fun idea! I'm actually not particularly crazy about either but plumped for 'Love Story'. It'd be rude not to now I've heard that one live

Voted for Westlife which may be nostalgia talking but hey they did something fun with it

Omg the impact of my chart making it to this thread (as you were x)

Catching up on the last two batches: week 12 I watched Popstars for the first time on YouTube last year so do remember Warren Stacey while my memory of that is relatively fresh. I think he was touted as a rival to Craig David, so pretty marketable, but looks like his career in the charts fizzled out pretty much straight away, oops. At least he did manage top 40 though unlike fellow reject Claire Freeland's poor brave #44 attempt. I agree that J Lo's first 'Ain't It Funny' hit was better. Those Murder remixes don't do a lot for me but fair play to their success. Snap favourite as Björk finally tops a section for me as well after her previous two entries here were podium placers, but not quite gold medals against tough competition. Vespertine is such a stunning era. week 13 Not one but now two unnecessary Cowell-adjacent 'Unchained Melody' covers that the public lapped up in eye-watering quantities! A certain other Gareth cover version later down the line is a bit of a guilty pleasure, but yeah, flush for this introduction. I definitely didn't need a Marilyn Manson cover of 'Tainted Love' either. Soft Cell mastered the art of tackling that one indeed. I get what you mean where 'Freeek!' is concerned. The production is interesting and the lyrics are bold yet there's something missing for me to truly love it. I remember reading that the music video was really expensive to make so they can't have been too pleased about just 3 weeks in the top 40. Reliably solid synth-pop from Pet Shop Boys as ever. The music video focusing on mice was an interesting choice. Just checked what I gave 'Mindcircus' in BJSC and it was 9 points! I sent my 50th anniversary entry to that edition and have just unleashed #100 to the latest contest, time flies still sounding gorgeous upon re-listen. I don't think I knew that Imogen Heap was involved with the writing on this one! I think 'Fly By II' just about pips it as my favourite of the batch. It's not quite as clever and imaginative as 'All Rise' but has a contagious aura nevertheless. They blended pop sensibilities and an R&B edge really well, cool choice of sample in Herb Alpert's 'Rise' also. Lee Ryan sounds amazing on that dramatic bridge.